TELEPHONE MESSAGE TO I. I. VATSETIS

Written:Written on December 23, 1918Published:First published inPravdaNo. 44, February 23, 1927.

      Printed from the typewritten text amended by J. V. Stalin and signed by V. I. Lenin.Source:Lenin
	  Collected Works,

      Progress Publishers,[1976],

      Moscow,Volume 35,

      page375.Translated:Andrew RothsteinTranscription\Markup:R. CymbalaPublic Domain:Lenin Internet Archive.You may freely copy, distribute,
	display and perform this work, as well as make derivative and
	commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet
	Archive” as your source.•README

Commander-in-ChiefVatsetisSerpukhov

TheDefence Council inquires:

(1)Isit true that during the battles in the Balashov
area about two weeks ago our units in the course of two
or three days surrendered 25–30 guns to the enemy and,
if this is true, what have you done to bring those guilty
to trial and to avert similar happenings?

(2)Isit true that a fortnight ago you gave an order for
the capture of Orenburg and, if it is true, why is the order
not being carried out?

(3)Whathas been done to stabilise the position of our
units in the Perm area who are demanding urgent help
from the Centre?

TheDefence Council awaits a reply from you to these
questions.

V.Ulyanov(Lenin)Chairman, Defence Council